An AGS Train Simulator

[RootBound]

Hey everyone,

I'm excited to announce my next game in production, a Train Simulator made in AGS.    It wouldn't have been possible without the Mode7 module by eri0o, which is still experimental and may change quite a bit.

I've been wanting to do a game like this ever since I got a taste of what AGS can do in this vein while I was making TUNNEL VISION. I don't know what it is about faux-3D environments with billboard sprites, but it gives me far more satisfaction than true 3D environments ever did. Long live faking it!

Planned features:
-640x400 resolution (I'm getting around 50fps so far, which is great)
-5 different environments to play/drive in.
-"Relax mode" where you simply let the scenery go by, and enjoy the view. It will be somewhat customizable.
-"Task mode" where you have different goals in each environment, such as delivering passengers, dropping off freight cars, or clearing obstructions from the tracks.
-A high score system to keep track of your best runs.

As of right now, things are still in the VERY early stages, but I've finally got the hang of the Mode7 module after a long break working on other games.

CURRENT PROGRESS:

ART: 5% (basically just the tracks, terrain textures, sky, and some of the distant backdrops are done - all the passing objects and GUIs are placeholder graphics right now).
SOUND: 0% (that will probably come last).
PROGRAMMING: 8%? I have no idea. This is the sort of thing where unexpected hurdles come up frequently, so it's probably more like 5%.
GAME DESIGN: 35% - I'm still seeing what it's possible to do within a faux-3d environment, as well as trying to make "task mode" as engaging as possible. I've got some solid ideas for goals to accomplish in a few environments, but not for all of them.

Last but not least, HERE IS A VIDEO. As I said above, all the passing objects and GUIs are placeholder sprites, but I've been having a great time with it. Thanks for reading! 

[bicilotti]

The video is pretty fantastic and mesmerising to look at! If you will be able to add a modicum of gameplay, this game will be a hit!

[Kastchey]

This is so impressive. You just keep raising the bar for yourself (and for everyone else, damn you! ).

[RootBound]

@bicilotti thank you! There will indeed be a least a modicum of gameplay, so let's hope you're right. 

@Kastchey thanks very much! I really can't take full credit given how much of the real innovation comes from the mode7 module, which was certainly not made by me.    But I'm absolutely trying to do the best that I can with it, and I'm glad the current result impresses someone besides me!  I really appreciate the excitement and encouragement!

[heltenjon]

Very cool! Is it possible to make turns, uphill/downhill as well? It already looks impressive.

One of the game modes sounds a bit like a "slow tv" hit from Norway, filming out the window as the train drives across the country. ("Bergensbanen minutt for minutt", if someone wants to google it.)

[RootBound]

@heltenjon it's absolutely possible to make turns in mode7, but the tricky thing is that the tracks are hand drawn and hand animated, so they are not part of the moving ground sprite (I didn't want them to look too flat). This means I would would have to draw the curved tracks approaching, animating, and then re-straightening as well, and the straight ones already took forever to get right. 

But going around curves does seem like an essential part of the experience, dang it.    I suppose this might be a time to try modeling the tracks in 3d and then just taking screenshots and painting over them... hmm. I'll have to think about it.

Mode7 doesn't really allow for up/down, so I would have to make an illusion of it, which i'm not currently sure how to do. That's what happens when it's all actually just 2d masquerading as 3d. I really want to create the illusion of going over a bridge, but I haven't figured out how to make that work either. 

I'm not pushing myself toward a firm deadline on this, though, just trying to have fun with it, so maybe playing around and trying some things out will yield results.  Can't make any promises though.

[heltenjon]

You could claim all turns are made in tunnels.  Don't worry too much about it. It's already pretty good!

[MIGGO]

This looks so classy! The faux-3D definitely has a charm of its own.

[RootBound]

Update: I've made a lot of progress on the "desert" environment sprites and have eliminated all the foliage placeholders (for now).

Here's a teaser screencap with a logo (subject to change  ).

[Totem]

really interesting concept, looking forward to seeing how this evolves!

[Rik_Vargard]

Everything looks so much nicer

[heltenjon]

Trackin' A! 

[ThreeOhFour]

This is awesome 

[RootBound]

ONCOMING TRAIN TRAFFIC     

[WeeklyJournaling]

Haha this looks amazing :O
I can't even imagine how you made it to be honest it's way beyond my skill level.
Awesome job

[RootBound]

Haha this looks amazing :O
I can't even imagine how you made it to be honest it's way beyond my skill level.
Awesome job

Thanks! In general it is made possible (especially the moving ground sprite) by the Mode7 module which I did not write, but I've been trying to use it as skillfully as I can. 

Programming what I've done so far has certainly not been easy though!  Every new step has its own hurdles. I alternate between loving it and feeling wholly inadequate to the task.

[CaptainD]

This is really impressive and I love seeing people use AGS for other types of game. If you can capture a fraction of the vibes from the original 16-bit Railroad Tycoon it will be more than worth the effort! 

[heltenjon]

Hmmmm... Mad Max Jack, Tunnel Vision and now this. I sense a pattern. 

[RootBound]

Hmmmm... Mad Max Jack, Tunnel Vision and now this. I sense a pattern. 

What's the pattern? Transportation?  Or just "sprites coming toward the screen"? Mostly I just like trains. I have an idea for a train-based platformer too.